In this newsletter we have information for a Canal Boat Day trip on Wednesday 29th July and details for the AGM, including mini-golf and lunch, on Monday 10th August.
See below for information about Transport to and from club events and events currently proposed for 2026. If you have ideas for future club events please let us know.
Michael Fabianski, Newsletter Editor. E-mail: ibmmidretnews@gmail.com
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Local theatres
If you are interested in local theatre productions, you might find the following links useful.
- The Loft, Leamington
- The Spa Centre, Leamington
- The Talisman, Kenilworth
- The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
- Warwick Arts Centre, University of Warwick
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Transport to and from club events
We are aware that many members may find it difficult to get to club events.
This may be for several different reasons, such as:
- Not having a car.
- Not liking driving at night.
- Public transport not available to get to the venue.
- Having difficulty walking.
etc.
If this applies to you and you would like to attend an event, please let the event organiser know and they will endeavour to arrange a lift from another member attending.
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Events
The following events are currently proposed for 2026:
- E2607SBB
- Wednesday 29th JulySlow boat to Birmingham. See below
- E2608AGM
- Monday 10th AugustAGM plus mini-golf and lunch in Gaydon See below
Photographs from Past Events.
Click on one of the links below to view a selection of photographs from past events.
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Following a couple of popular and successful day trips on the canals from Wootton Wawen, we’ve gone for another day trip but with a change of scene.
We’ll meet at Lyons Boat Yard in Warstock at 10am sharp, a bit south of Birmingham, to collect our boat “Happy Valley”, which can take up to 12 people. We will cruise into the centre of Birmingham’s Gas Street Basin, where we’ll stop for lunch (handy for the “Canalside” pub). The route starts with a 250m tunnel, and goes into Birmingham via King’s Norton Junction, where we meet the Worcester and Birmingham canal. The round trip will take us until 5pm. Sights include the back of Broadstreet station, the National Indoor Arena and the “Mailbox”, Cadbury World, the University and the Hospital.
There are no locks to operate.
On previous day trips on the canals we’ve been able to book two boats and take about 20 people, but this boatyard has only one boat. If demand exceeds the 12 berths available, we may book the boat again in August for a repeat run.
We will supply coffee and milk, and other food and refreshments you will either need to buy at the pub or bring with you.
The boatyard’s terms and conditions can be read here: www.warwickshirenarrowboathire.com/terms-of-day-boat-hire
The boatyard’s full address:
Lyons Boat Yard Ltd
Limekiln Lane
Warstock
Birmingham B14 4SP
Telephone: 0121 474 4977
Parking is situated outside the boat yard, on Limekiln Lane.
Price will depend on the number of bookings, and will be in the range £16 - £20 per person.
Please email your completed booking form (or a scan of the same) to the organiser,
Paul Gover
There will be a £5 per person deposit. Details of how to pay will be sent on receipt of the booking form.
E2608AGM: AGM and Summer Lunch - Monday 10th August (Organiser Ray Bradshaw)
The club will be holding its AGM on Monday 10 August combined with a free lunch and mini-golf. Please let Ray Bradshaw know whether you will be attending so we know how many to cater for.
If you would like to stand for the committee we would be pleased to hear from you. Also if you have ideas for future events please let us know.
The meeting venue is the Gaydon Village Hall in Church Road, opposite the Malt Shovel pub. Coffee and tea will be available from 10.30 a.m. and the meeting will start at 11 a.m.
Welcome by Chairman – John Rickman
Apologies for absence
Approval of minutes of 2025 AGM
Matters arising from minutes
Treasurer’s Report – Paul Gover
Election of Officers
Summary of 2026 Events – Ray Bradshaw
After the AGM John & Julie invite you to their garden next door to play on John’s newly created mini-golf course. No golf experience is needed.
After golf a buffet lunch, curated by Julie Rickman and Christine Bradshaw, will be served in the village hall.
Sub-Groups of Retirees Club and Employee Club
It is hoped to organise occasional rambles with options so that participants can choose a length of walk to suit them.
Please contact Terry King, terryaking@hotmail.com for more information.
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The IBM Tech Club is a place where you can talk to IBM folk about matters technical. For example, help or advice on buying or using computers, smart phones,touch pads; engineering, electronics, wifi, bluetooth, cryptography, bitcoin, using computers to making movies, songs or musical works, best software, streaming, the internet, photography, diy, and anything else about the modern world you would like to understand better.
Apart from the technical discussion we try to have a talk by a club member at each meeting. This depends very much on members volunteering to prepare and show something they are interested in.
Meetings will take place on an ad hoc basis as and when we have members who have a topic to discuss, so please get your suggestions in to John Rickman! On the day of the meeting click on the link below. It should take you straight into the meeting.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88338135221?pwd=eFYyUTdKZjRUSlR4V0RqZmFYMmlCQT09
Meeting ID: 883 3813 5221
Passcode: 395710
If you need help with Zoom contact John Rickman (rickman@argonet.co.uk) in good time before the meeting.
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Members’ Notices
We all know Midlands Retirees who are undertaking a range of activities to raise money for good causes. The Committee have therefore decided to offer this space to advertise such initiatives and other events which may be of interest.
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Click on the links below for more useful information.
Midlands IBM Retiree Club Constitution Committee Contacts Committee Meeeting Minutes AGM Minutes IBM Rewards Employee Purchase Plan IBM Pensions Trust